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Decisions in Brief Standing Policy Committee on Finance

For immediate release: November 1, 2017 - 4:41pm

MR17-221

From the October 30, 2017 Meeting7.1.1 Amusement Tax

Decision

*The Committee received the Administrative report and presentation from a representative of the Movie Theater Association of Canada as information and will be forwarding the report to City Council for information.

Background

*At its meeting on August 28, 2017, when considering the 2018 Business Plan and Budget Update – 30 Day Challenge report, City Council resolved, in part: “2. That the Administration report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance regarding the Amusement Tax.”

*Quarterly updates on the City’s Corporate Business Plan and Budget help to ensure that City Council and the Administration are aware of emerging business plan and budget issues and challenges, so they can react accordingly.

*The Three-Year Land Development Report is an annual report which summarizes the servicing of residential and non-residential suburban land within Saskatoon. This information is used by the Administration to plan and budget for growth-related infrastructure investments that are outlined in the Land Development Capital Budget. The report provides information on economic growth indicators, builder and developer inventory levels, servicing plans, and dwelling unit demand profiles based on various population growth scenarios.

*In May 2015, Council approved a report updating the Saskatoon Fire Department’s Continuous Improvement Program which establishes an effective baseline for the provision of emergency service to the community with safety of the citizens and the response personnel providing the service being primary considerations. In part, the report outlined a proposal to move Fire Station No. 5 to the new College Quarter in the area of Preston Avenue and College Drive. This would remove existing overlap between Station No. 9 on Attridge Drive and gain the needed coverage for the University Campus. This initiative is in conjunction with the move of Station No. 3 to a location near the corner of Wilson Crescent and Clarence Avenue which commenced in 2016.

7.2.3 Neighbourhood Land Development Fund Surplus Allocation

Decision

*The Committee will be reporting to City Council supporting the recommendations for the proposed allocation of the Neighbourhood Land Development Fund surpluses.

Background

*At its October 21, 2013 meeting, City Council approved a declaration of $28 million of surpluses from the Evergreen neighbourhood. Additionally, on December 1, 2014, the Standing Policy Committee on Finance approved a declaration of $10 million of surpluses from the Evergreen neighbourhood. Of the $38 million declared, $25.794 million remains unallocated to specific capital projects as it was held to cash flow prepaid land development reserves that were planned to be in a net deficit position. However, the need to continue cash flowing for this purpose is no longer required as the 2018 estimate for the net prepaid reserves balance is to be in a positive positon.

At its November 28, 2016 meeting, City Council approved the sale of the former Saskatoon Police Service Headquarters (Police Headquarters) at 130 and 140 – 4th Avenue North. The financial implications within the report stated that proceeds from this sale would be applied to the City of Saskatoon’s (City) cash holdings to replenish funds used to purchase 202 – 4th Avenue North (Civic Square East) and related parking lots at 209 and 221 – 5th Avenue North.

At its November 30, 2016 meeting, when considering the Funding Plans Update report, City Council resolved that the updated Civic Facilities Funding Plan, Major Transportation Infrastructure Plan, and Gas Tax Allocation Plan be approved. This report showed an expected amount of $20 million from the NLDF to fund projects within the Civic Facilities Funding Plan.

At its meeting on August 14, 2017, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services considered a report from the General Manager, Community Services Department, regarding sustainable funding for the Affordable Housing Reserve. The report recommended that City Council approve that the level of annual funding be $750,000 for the Affordable Housing Reserve. It was resolved that the Administration report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services with an expanded report including reporting on the neighbourhood land development fund and its return on investment on this and other programs in Saskatoon.